All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.

Link: ‘Haven’: Dwight and McHugh’s friendship takes a cue from WWE’s Adam Copeland and Jay Reso

From Chris E. Hayner of Zap2it.com:

‘Haven’: Dwight and McHugh’s friendship takes a cue from WWE’s Adam Copeland and Jay Reso
“It’s a lot of fun for us to do that together and obviously made it that much more comfortable getting on set and knowing he was there. We have natural chemistry, so doing those first scenes together eased it a little bit.” Continue reading.

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Is House of Bryan: The Last Straw for Bryan and Sarah Baeumler?

Is this it for Sarah and Bryan Baeumler? After having TV cameras in their faces 24/7 for House of Bryan, have HGTV’s super-couple finally called it quits? The latest iteration of the franchise—returning Sunday with back-to-back episodes—is called The Last Straw. So, what gives? Is the title a reference to the show being set on their property close to farmland? Does it refer to this being the last-ever home they’ll renovate together? Or maybe it is, simply, the final steps in creating that forever home they’ve dreamed of.

“Is this the straw that broke the camel’s back and lead to divorce?!” Sarah says with a laugh during interviews at HGTV headquarters. The short answer is, no, the Baeumlers are not severing their marriage. As a matter of fact, their next TV project—read on for details on that—will bring them even closer together. “In the beginning, it was our goal to show our real lives. Bryan said at the very beginning that he wanted to show our house being built and everything that comes along with that, including what a couple goes through. The reality is, we have lives, there are jobs and kids and things happen.”

“Anyone that tells you, ‘I own a construction company and I’m building my house, it went perfectly, we were under budget and ahead of schedule and everybody is happy is full of shit,” Bryan says. “It’s just not like that. It’s not a railroad track. It’s a shipping channel and you’re meandering towards your destination.”

House_Of_Bryan

Things do, however, begin Sunday night without a hitch. House of Bryan: In the Sticks followed Bryan, Sarah and their kids Quentin, Charlotte, Josephine and Lincoln as renovations began on their home. Those episodes showcased how weather and other obstacles pushed construction on the new wing of the property way past the original deadline. Now that section of the home is done, and attention is turned to the original part of the house and the challenges that come with bringing 70s-era style into the present day.

In The Final Straw, Bryan begins the season by taking advantage of Sarah being away for two days and gutting the original structure. In no time, he and his team have dispatched old panelling, addressed some minor moisture issues and prepped for a vaulted ceiling by hauling in a massive beam to provide strength to the structure. As Sarah tells it, Bryan knows his best option is just to begin work on a project and then reveal what he’s done. That way, she can’t say no. Her reactions, of course, make for great TV.

“They’ve gotten quite a few reactions, and have had to edit out some language,” she says with a laugh. What you get from watching the Baeumlers on screen—and in a conference room with no cameras to capture it—is their sense of humour. These two take everything in stride and don’t let construction drama—or what some fans say online—bother them.

As for their next television project? They’ll be working more closely together. Bryan Inc., which began production just a week ago, spotlights Baeumler’s business by following him around during a typical day. Building and renovating homes will be part of it, as well as Sarah becoming more involved in the 60-plus employee company based out of Burlington, Ont.

“As Bryan says, ‘It’s bring your wife to work day. Let’s see how this goes!'” she says. “Bryan does have me sweeping some floors and it’s good to learn a job from the ground up. We have a really great working relationship and we’re expanding on that.”

“There are going to be challenges,” Bryan teases.

House of Bryan: The Last Straw airs back-to-back episodes on Sundays at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV.

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Link: MIPCOM: Syfy’s ‘Killjoys’ Stars Tease Second Season

From Etan Vlessing of The Hollywood Reporter:

MIPCOM: Syfy’s ‘Killjoys’ Stars Tease Second Season
“We should expect to find out more about Red 17, and about Khlyen, and if he is working for someone, or if he’s the decision-maker. That’s my question,” John-Kamen said “What he did in season one was create this notion that there’s something bigger, this thing is bigger, and you don’t even know you’re part of – do as I tell you as I’m trying to protect you from something. I do hope that threat will be revealed in season two,” she added. Continue reading.

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Preview: Newbies breathe life into Dragons’ Den

It doesn’t take long for the newest investors to establish themselves as a trio who belong on Dragons’ Den. Now into its 10th season on CBC, the franchise—following the recent departures of Arlene Dickinson and David Chilton—brought in Joe Fresh founder Joe Mimran, Buytopia co-founder Michele Romanow and Minhas Breweries’ co-founder Manjit Minhas to play alongside Michael Wekerle and cagey veteran Jim Treliving.

And the new casting works.

Returning Wednesday night on CBC, Mimran, Minhas and Romanow aren’t afraid to spar with budding entrepreneurs—and their fellow Dragons—in order to make a deal. Things start off on the right foot when a young man pitches his all-natural drink mixes and four Dragons get into a bidding fray before he settles on one. It’s a tougher road of travel for a dude shilling coconut oil and another who gets a little cocky during the deal stage over his dragon models.

One of my favourite segments of Dragons’ Den returns, as producers spend several minutes catching up with a duo who’d signed a deal with Chilton for their curling pads.

But back to the new kids on the block. Mimran deploys a playful sense of humour to the proceedings, happy to offer his money and advice but equally thrilled to joke around and keep the situation light. Minhas and Romanow are equally at ease, though more reserved than personalities like Mimran and Wekerle, but they’re certainly business savvy. I learned a lot about their passion and smarts from the no-nonsense questions they asked of the entrepreneurs and the enthusiasm—or distain—they displayed during pitches. Romanow’s knowledge of new media lead to a spirited, extended debate with Treliving; he didn’t think it was that important and she did. It made for engaging TV.

Dragons’ Den continues to plug along with a recipe for success that hasn’t changed that much in the last 10 seasons. And by swapping out panelists every once in awhile, they’re keeping the series fresh.

Dragons’ Den airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

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